"As we all strive to provide the best care possible to our shared clients, integrating treatment for drug use and mental health disorders and primary health care is more important than ever," said David Dickinson, director of the state Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery. "Providing people with a recovery-oriented system of care, with support from their community, allows us to more effectively treat the whole person, while saving state medical costs for emergency and long-term care," added Dickinson.

The year's theme is "Elements of Success: Sustaining and Maintaining Program Momentum" which reflects the purpose of ongoing support of Washington'' chemical dependency, mental health and problem gambling treatment workforce. The conference is sponsored by DBHR in the Department of Social and Health Services' Health and Recovery Services Administration.

National and local experts and people in recovery will offer workshops and plenary presentations on ways to improve treatment, such as creating gender-responsive and trauma-informed services, how to connect hard-to-reach people with treatment, and how to help patients recover from conditions related to addiction and mental health disorders, such as childhood trauma, domestic violence and post-traumatic stress among veterans. 

The conference opens at 8:30 a.m. on September 28 with a keynote address by Stephanie Covington about the importance of gender-responsive treatment. Other keynote presenters are Melinda Fox, Cynthia Moreno Tuohy, Scott Miller, and David Pitonyak.

DBHR Director David Dickinson will present Outstanding Service Awards at 12:30 on the 29th, honoring effective programs and dedicated individuals around the state. The following programs and people are being honored this year:

Individual

• Robert Jones, Cowlitz Indian Tribe, Longview
• Gary Hothi, Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration, Seattle
• Brad Humphries, Pioneer Human Services-Co-Chair CODIAC, Spokane

Collaborator

• Dr. David Beck, Kitsap Mental Health and Evergreen Treatment Services, Bremerton
• Ron Jackson, Evergreen Treatment Services, Seattle

Consumer Advocate

• Lisa Woolsey, NAMI, Mental Health Advisory Board, Spokane 

Innovative program

• Adult STAR (Substance Treatment and Recovery) Program, Sound Mental Health, Seattle

Lifetime Achievement

• Linda Grant, Evergreen Manor, Everett

FOR ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND:

The conference is open to the public, and attendees may register at the event. For more information, visit the Web site at http://conferences.wsu.edu/dshs_co-occurring/agenda.aspx.

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DSHS does not discriminate, and provides equal access to its programs and services for all persons without regard to race, color, gender, religion, creed, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, age, veteran’s status or the presence of any physical, sensory or mental disability.